In the midst of the back and forth of Nicolás Maduro’s capture, the seizure of “Ghost Fleet” oil tankers, and the banter over a possible annexation of Greenland, it’s easy to miss the significance of the Christmas U.S. missile strikes in Nigeria, which hit ISIS and other jihadist groups. This would be a real tragedy, as this was a real step forward.

On Christmas Day, the U.S. conducted precision airstrikes in Nigeria’s Sokoto State, targeting ISIS affiliates with Tomahawk missiles and killing multiple terrorists in coordination with Nigerian forces. These strikes, launched from a ship off the coast, followed President Donald Trump’s threats against militants attacking Christians and aimed to disrupt violent extremist groups. 

While some Western analysts worried about sovereignty and unintended consequences, Nigerian officials hailed the joint operation as a success against terrorism. 

The Trump administration acted quickly and with firm resolve, and in the process reshaped U.S.-Nigeria ties around safety and faith. Nigeria supported this action and wanted U.S. help. Beginning with a Nigerian state visit to the White House, Trump made it clear that more needed to be done to protect persecuted Christians, and the Nigerians got the point. 

The U.S. and Nigeria can and should do more together to fight jihadis in West Africa.

Nigeria carries a tremendous strategic weight. Its land mass, enormous population, and large military make it a natural anchor from West Africa to the rest of the world.

The United States, long accused of ignoring Africa, truly needs a safe and steady Nigeria. A stable Nigeria does not guarantee stability in the nations around it, but an unstable Nigeria means the entire region is at risk.

Large crime rings and jihadist groups are a threat to both Nigerian and U.S.........

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